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New Mexico MVD Permit Practice Test 2026

Practice for the MVD knowledge exam you take to get a New Mexico instructional permit. The questions cover New Mexico's three-stage teen licensing system, alcohol and phone rules, plus shared US road rules and road signs.

Read before you practiseStart with the New Mexico Driver's Manual Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    What is the minimum age for a New Mexico Stage 1 instructional permit?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 15

    Teens can get a Stage 1 instructional permit at 15 if they are enrolled in or have finished approved driver education.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What must a New Mexico teen have done before getting an instructional permit?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Completed or enrolled in a state-approved driver education program

    A teen must be enrolled in or have completed a state-approved driver education program, and bring a referral card from the school.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which tests must a New Mexico teen pass to get an instructional permit?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A vision test and the MVD knowledge exam

    Permit applicants pass a vision test and the MVD knowledge exam. The knowledge exam may also be given by an MVD-contracted driver education school.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Who must sign a New Mexico instructional permit application for a teen under 18?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The teen and a parent or guardian

    The teen and a parent or guardian sign the application at an MVD field office.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    How long must a New Mexico teen hold a Stage 1 instructional permit?
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    Answer: A. At least six months

    The instructional permit must be held for at least six months before Stage 2.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    Who may supervise a New Mexico instructional permit holder?
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    Answer: A. A driver 21 or older who has been licensed for at least three years

    The supervising driver must be at least 21 and licensed for at least three years.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    How many hours of supervised practice must a New Mexico teen log before Stage 2?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 50 hours, including 10 at night

    Teens must log 50 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night, on a signed GDL driving log.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    New Mexico driver education must include a component on which subject?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A 3-hour DWI (impaired driving) component

    The TSB-approved driver education program includes a 3-hour DWI component.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    What must a New Mexico teen's record show in the 90 days before applying for a provisional license?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No traffic violation convictions

    Teens must have no traffic violation convictions in the 90 days before applying for Stage 2.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    What can happen to a New Mexico driver under 21 with a BAC of 0.02%?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A six-month license revocation

    For drivers under 21, a BAC of 0.02%, about one drink, can lead to a six-month revocation.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    What is the minimum age for a New Mexico Stage 2 provisional license?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 15½

    A provisional license can be issued at 15½ after Stage 1 is complete.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    How long must you hold a New Mexico provisional license before Stage 3?
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    Answer: B. At least 12 months

    The provisional license must be held for at least 12 months.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Without a licensed driver 21 or older in the car, how many non-family passengers under 21 may a New Mexico provisional driver carry?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One

    Provisional drivers may carry no more than one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family, unless a licensed driver 21 or older is present.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    When may a New Mexico provisional driver NOT drive unless a licensed driver 21 or older is with them?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Between midnight and 5 a.m.

    Provisional drivers may not drive from midnight to 5 a.m. without a licensed driver 21 or older, except for allowed reasons.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    A New Mexico provisional driver drives at 1 a.m. for work. What must they carry?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A supporting statement for the exception

    Exceptions exist for school, work, family or medical needs and religious functions, but the driver must carry a supporting statement.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    What happens if a New Mexico teen is convicted of a qualifying traffic violation during the permit or provisional stage?
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    Answer: D. The minimum holding period is extended by 30 days for each conviction

    Each qualifying conviction during the permit or provisional period adds 30 days to the minimum holding period.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Which of these violations during a New Mexico permit or provisional stage extends the holding period?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Not wearing a seat belt

    The violation list includes not wearing a seat belt, not restraining a child properly and using a mobile device while driving.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    What must a New Mexico teen have during the provisional period to get a full Stage 3 license?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No alcohol or drug guilty finding or pending offense

    Stage 3 requires no alcohol or drug guilty finding during the provisional period, no pending violations and no convictions in the last 90 days.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    A New Mexican aged 18 to 24 is getting a first New Mexico license. Which extra class must they complete?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The None for the Road DWI awareness class

    First-time applicants aged 18 to 24 must complete the None for the Road self-study DWI awareness class.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    What is New Mexico's rule on cell phones for permit and provisional drivers?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They may not use a cell phone while driving at all

    New Mexico bans all cell phone use while driving for drivers with a learner or provisional license.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Who is banned from texting while driving in New Mexico?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. All drivers

    New Mexico bans texting for all drivers, and police can stop you for it alone.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    What must a New Mexico teen bring from the driving school when applying for an instructional permit?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A referral card from a TSB-approved driver education school

    Permit applicants provide a referral card from a TSB-approved driver education school.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    What proof of practice driving does a New Mexico teen need for a provisional license?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A signed GDL driving log showing 50 hours, 10 at night

    Applicants bring a signed GDL driving log showing 50 hours of practice, 10 at night.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Where can a New Mexico teen take the road skills exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At the MVD or through an MVD-contracted driver education school

    The road skills exam can be taken through a contracted school, which gives an MVD Record of Completion.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Which teen driving stages does New Mexico's graduated licensing system have?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Instructional permit, provisional license, full license

    New Mexico uses three stages: Stage 1 instructional permit, Stage 2 provisional license and Stage 3 full license.

What to know before the test

  • You can get a Stage 1 instructional permit at 15 if you are enrolled in or have finished state-approved driver education.
  • To get the permit you pass a vision test and the MVD knowledge exam. Some contracted driver education schools can give the knowledge exam.
  • Hold the permit six months and log 50 supervised hours, 10 at night, with a driver 21 or older who has been licensed three years.
  • Provisional drivers may not drive from midnight to 5 a.m. or carry more than one non-family passenger under 21 without a licensed driver 21 or older.
  • Each qualifying traffic conviction during the permit or provisional stage adds 30 days to the holding period.
  • Permit and provisional drivers may not use a cell phone at all while driving, and texting is banned for everyone.

Frequently asked questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in New Mexico?

15, and you must be enrolled in or have completed a state-approved driver education program.

How many supervised hours does New Mexico require?

50 hours, including 10 at night, with a supervisor who is 21 or older and has been licensed at least three years.

When can I get a provisional license in New Mexico?

At 15½ or older, after holding your permit six months, finishing driver education with its DWI component, logging 50 hours and passing the road skills exam.

What are the provisional license rules in New Mexico?

No driving from midnight to 5 a.m. and no more than one non-family passenger under 21, unless a licensed driver 21 or older is with you. Hold it at least 12 months.

Do adults need a DWI class for a first New Mexico license?

Yes, if you are 18 to 24. You must complete the None for the Road DWI awareness class.

Sources

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